What does this mean now that the logging threat has subsided. Or has it? Is selective logging within this proposal?
The Taungurung Land and Waters Council (TLaWC) believes that the State Government must put Country and people first when deciding on the future of the Central Highlands forests following direct involvement in the Eminent Panel for Community Engagement.
TLaWC requests that forests within these cultural landscapes be designated as Cultural Reserves rather than National Parks to enable this significant part of Taungurung Country to be managed consistently according to Taungurung cultural knowledge:
“Active management for a broad range of values is needed to heal and care for Country”
Matt Shanks, Executive Manager of Biocultural Landscapes at TLaWC and proud Taungurung man, joins EarthChat to discuss the emergence of First Nations, and particularly Taungurung Land and Water Council in seeking management of State Forests since the cessation of VicForest and logging of Victoria’s native forest.
The Rapid Biocultural Expressions Assessment of the State Forests within the Central Highlands Regional Forest Agreement (CHRFA) area occurring on Taungurung Country represents the findings of a Taungurung led research project and outlines Taungurung’s position on the future of forests. It identifies a number of significant cultural landscapes in the Central Highlands and asks that forests within these cultural landscapes be designated as Cultural Reserves. See also here.
First Nations managing State Forests seems a neat fit. But what does this management look like, what uses will be envisaged and how does the conservation of biodiversity fit within the Cultural Reserves model.
Matt Shanks is an engaging speaker and up for a robust conversation. His thinking creates an exciting landscape of cross-cultural engagement good for First Nations and our broader community.
Join Peter and Tim with Matt Shanks from TLaWC on EarthChat this Tuesday at midday on 103.9 FM.
The show will be repeated on 103.9 SeymourFM at 8am on Saturday. Click here for Seymour FM's website. Can't catch the radio broadcast? It's already on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Podbean and the BEAM website. We make it easy to Earth-Chat!
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